I'm interested in how people think the anime will pace the content of the light novels. Because it's discussing the novels, there are light spoilers. I tried to be vague, so that I wouldn't spoil exactly what happens; but I do give away the timing of things such big fights.

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Given the pace the anime has been going through the first few episodes, it seems to me like the anime will complete volume 1 in less than the expected ~24 episodes.

My guess for the pacing based on the content in the light novels is as follows...
episode #: chapters #'s - short description

I guess they could also do flashbacks to the content in the side stories First Day and Rondo of the Transient Sword, but they seem to be going in chronological order. Maybe there area few episodes they could get out of the ME/doujinshis, or by making "fillers" out of some events that are merely alluded to in the novels. I suppose they could try to put the ALO arc in, but I don't think they would do that. There isn't a whole lot of content in volume 1, so unless they really fill in the story, I think my content spacing is reasonable. And they seem to be following one episode per side story (though I think some of those could be two episodes).

Anyone have any different opinions or expectations?

I think they will go all out and go into Volume 2 of the light novel.

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They may try to end it after the first volume, but I think they would have to add content that is not in the original storyline to do this and end up with 20+ episodes. Also, everyone wants to see the hero and heroine together, which would mean going through the ALO arc. The first novel doesn't really convey Kirito's true character all that well - I think they will have to delve further into the storyline to truly capture his heroic nature. And of course, this is me wishful thinking and wanting to see the ALO arc as well.

Hmm... You're probably right.

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I had been hoping that they would fully explore the SAO arc in 24 eps (and then the ALO arc could be announced later). But given their pacing it's probably more reasonable to expect they'd finish SAO in 12-14 episodes (rather than the protracted 16 in my initial guess) and then move on to the ALO arc for the later half.

I personally liked Kirito's character in the SAO arc better; there are still moments when he's the hero, but there also a few times when he struggles with things (ie Red-Nosed Reindeer). That made things more interesting for me. In ALO, I thought it was mostly him showing off and wiping the floor with the enemies that appeared before him, which was also entertaining in its own way.

well how far they will go with the anime all comes down to money and viewers.. if the series is a success they might take it a long way maybe even past ALO volumes.. but if its not maybe they will end it with kirito waking up in the hospital bed

It's not an MMO in the style of Warcraft or whatever, but it's online features let you party with other players for help almost as soon as the game gets going, and a few hours later you'll be fighting hostile players whether you want to or not. The only way to not play online, with every other player, is to disconnect your console from the internet.

I won't say for DDO as I haven't tried that

Traps are a major feature in DDO, to the point that (in some dungeons) a single misstep can kill your tankiest fighter.

I don't like how SAO doesn't follow a concrete story flow. I feel like we're moving along random fragments in time. It's still in chronological order but you're left questioning what's in between. Regardless with that flaw, they delivered another good episode. There's so much issues in the gaming world that was never even aware of. I'm glad it's brought into light and discussed in passing. I hope we'll see some of the side characters again in the future.

This is a very strange thing to say, coming from me, but watching this, I'm getting a very strong, uh, I guess you'd call it an Uncanny Valley reaction.
I'm not sure this is the right way to say it, but there's just something very off about how they act, and it gives me the shivers.

The Creator bothers me too, though to be fair that's probably the point.
It's just that for all his talk of this being a new world, I get a Jerkass Railroading DM vibe from him. I also get the feeling that any form of creativity will probably be punished with Rocks Falling, Everyone Dying.
Or worse, the final floor is the Tomb of Horrors. And I don't think the herd of cattle trick is going to work here, though.

Also, given their information blackout, I have to wonder what the perceived difference is between being defeated, booted out of the game, and dying, and being defeated, booted out of the game, and living is?

Continuing in that vein,
"Remember how I said I'd let you live if you reached Floor 100?"
"That's right, you did."
"I lied."
"AAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

I don't like how SAO doesn't follow a concrete story flow. I feel like we're moving along random fragments in time. It's still in chronological order but you're left questioning what's in between.

well try reading the light novel, then you would feel it even more.. thats just how the story is.. you dont need to know about all the things in between, its implemented that they are fighting their way towards the upper floors, and the side stories shown is just something out of the normal.. i never really considered the flow of the story to be off, i consider it a nice way to write a story, all you need to know is told etc etc.